The C Class is big, comfortable and an easy place to spend serious time, offering a near-perfect compromise between a cosseting ride and 'sporty' performance. The cabin is well designed but some of the switchgear feels plasticky and cheap. The basic 1.8- and 2.0-litre Kompressor (supercharged) engines offer decent performance but lack refinement. The 2.4-litre V6 is the best petrol engine as the bigger 3.5-litre version is too thirsty and expensive. The clever CDI diesels are the pick of the range, however - especially the powerful 3.0-litre version. The baulky and sometimes clunky manual gearboxes should be avoided; an automatic will be easier to sell on later.